Just Picked Up my Loaded 2008 Armada, Here is My Review

[Timmbo]

Well, it was time to upgrade from my '04 QX56, due to the fact that the nearest Infiniti dealer is over 100 miles away (PIA when it comes to warranty work), I decided on a Nissan Armada. The closest Nissan dealer to me is about 5 miles away. I picked up the loaded beast (Timberline w/Almond Leather) on New Years Eve. I was slightly concerned about going from an Infiniti to a Nissan, but I am happy to say I am no longer worried. Nissan really hit the mark for 2008! The Armada has seen huge improvements in quality. The ride is much smoother than my previous QX56. I was shocked the first time I started the engine, it is also quieter. Even highway driving is impressive, this really makes me wonder if the '08 QX56 is any quieter than the '08 Armada. There are no rattles to be heard anywhere except for my son's child seat. The interior is much higher quality than the outgoing model, and much nicer than my QX56. Of course the engine feels the same, wonderful and smooth! Brakes are larger in size, and stop the beast quicker than my QX56 did. I love the new features on the Armada, these include: much upgraded NAV system, bluetooth, heated steering wheel, music hard drive, compact flash card slot, voice recognition, power folding 60/40 split third row, and of course the 20" shoes. All the little stupid things that annoyed the hell out of me on the QX56 were all resolved in my new Armada. Again, I am more than impressed, and I got an amazing deal on the new ride. The one feature I was afraid I was going to miss were the Xenon lights. I took care of that yesterday with a pair of Sylvania Silverstar Ultras. I am very impressed with these bulbs, well worth the price. On top of it, if you purchase the Silverstar Ultras by the end of the month, there is a $10 rebate available online. Other than that I popped in a K&N air filter, and those are the only mods. On my QX56 I had the twin captain's chairs in the 2nd row, in the Armada I opted for the solid split fold bench. Seems as this will work better with our 13 month old son. I love the operation and functions of the stereo system. I set up the bluetooth yesterday, which was very easy, and when I get some time, I will rip my CD's and favorite songs to the 9.3gb hard drive. Well, that is about it for now, if anyone has any questions, or needs help choosing a new Armada or QX56, please post me a message, I would be glad to help out. I will have some pictures posted in the next day or two under the Armada/QX56 Photo/Picture Thread.

[OHQX]

Congrats on the new ride! Glad to hear you weren't disappointed in the move from Infiniti to Nissan badges. Can't wait to see the pics...

Seems odd that the GB market wouldn't support an Infiniti dealer. I understand the PITA about a non-local dealer. One of our summer toys used to go a little over 2 hours away to the dealer. It's MUCH nicer now that there's a dealer just 20 minutes away.

IAC, congrats once again. It's always a thrill to drive away in the brand new machine!

[Timmbo]

Yeah it is funny that there isn't an Infiniti dealer in Green Bay or at least Appleton. Appleton (30 miles or so south of Green Bay) has a Land Rover, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Volvo, Audi, Porsche, and about a year and a half ago they got an Acura dealer. Where the hell are you Infiniti????? BTW the pics have been posted for everyone's viewing pleasure!

[psuinpitts]

I just purchased the same vehicle and love it as well. We traded our 2004 Armada SE for this tricked out version and could not be happier. Two questions for you:1/ I cannot find where anyone lists the 2008 Sylvania buld replacements. Does the 2007 work?2/ How did you find the K&N filter to work in the Armada? I have one in my Acura and it works well. Curious on your experience with it in the Armada

[Timmbo]

9006 is the bulb number for the low beams, I believe that is the same as the '07 model. Remember to go online and print the rebate form if you purchase the bulbs before the end of this month. you will save $10 on the Ultras. I do like the K&N filter in the '08 Armada. You never really know how well it works until the end of your break-in period. I have always used the K&N and loved it, had it in my '04 QX56, and my brother has it in his '06 Titan. Enjoy your new ride and remember to post some pictures on the Picture Thread!

[howardent]

I picked up one recently too gotta love the incentives but also worth noting is that they have 06-07 navigation software version 8.0 (I think) and that it is hard drive based and the supplier currently has no idea what the procedure or cost will be to update it .. hopefully by Spring

[Timmbo]

From what I researched they say the update is supposed to be a simple thing to do. I wonder what is involved.

[clank25]

Hi All,

Brand new to the board. I just bought an 08 Armada that is loaded as well. I love it. It has to be one of the smoothest rides I have driven. Looking forward to some good road trips.

Take care,Clank25

[Baluga]

got mine too but its partially loaded, has no NAV , does anyone converted the display for NAV?..please let me know, too expensive to exchange my Armada with fully loaded one..

[q56er]

We just got the 08 QX56 and I noticed on a post somewhere someone was complaining about the 9.3 GB hard drive and how long it takes to record CDs. I popped a CD in the other day and by the time it was half way through the 2nd song the entire disk was stored away on the HD. I realize you can't change songs or FF while recording but I found the whole process very easy to work with. While on the subject of gadgets we have an old, as in 20 + year old Stanley garage door opener, our 2005 Sequoia would not be programmed to open it. I tried everything, the QX, on the other hand, paired up with the original remote and within 40 seconds I was opening my ancient garage door from the mirror of my new car. No hassles!

[RonnieC]

New here, first time import truck owner after 5 or so GM's and now I'm wondering if I went in the wrong direction?

Purchased this vehicle, an 08 LE w/ tow package because I also own a race car and maybe once a month I must tow it inside an enclosed trailer with a total weight of approximatly 7000 pounds with dual axle brakes which will operate once I install the controller this week, with a 9100 pound tow capacity the only thing I thought I would worry about was maybe a lack of power pulling hills. I take it on a test ride (no trailer attached) on a 1000 mile trip and am very displeased with just about every aspect of the brakes, the stopping power....it seems to want to glide rather than dig in, the pedal doesn't feel solid unless I give it a pump first, and pedal pulsation is absolutely unreal, it'll rattle your teeth out laying into them from about 75 mph, so scary that it wouldn't stop in time that I had it out of the lane and onto the shoulder twice just to make sure and I'm not a tailgater by any means, I am so used to leaving room ahead because of trailer towing that sometimes I over-do it, these were normal traffic slow-downs from the posted speed limits.

Please tell me it's a problem with mine only, I love the vehicle for it's ride and options but I think brakes take a priority over them. I'm calling the dealer this morning (it's 2 weeks old) and the last thing I want is them is machining material from the rotors to true them as every .010 removed decreases stopping ability by about 3 to 5 percent due to additional heat (I owned an auto repair shop for 20 years). I have a 1000 mile round trip coming up in two weeks using the trailer and I'm really leary at this point!

Any dealer techs out there that has seen this problem?

Thanks

[q56er]

RonnieC,My guess is someone didn't set up the brakes properly on your new rig. With ABS it's not a simple matter of just pumping fluid into a coffee can any more. Nissan and Toyota both undersized their brakes when they first introduced the Armada and the Sequoia. Since I just bought the 08 QX56 I've been reading more about the Nissan brake issues and I have to say from what the customers have said Nissan definitely took better care of them than Toyota did. Toyota dealers were instructed to deny everything and just turn the rotors to get customers out the door. Nissan owned up to the problem and issued service bulletins. Having owned an 05 Sequoia, the year Toyota mysteriously upgraded the brakes I can tell you the 08 QX56 brakes are far better. Of course Toyota increased braking on the 08 Sequoia as well and it brakes quite nicely as to. Keep us informed, 10 to 1 they’ll find a small air bubble in the system somewhere that is causing the ABS to act strangely. I’d be curious to know what they find, I have an 05 Chevy 1 ton that the brakes feel a little spongy on. I’ve been afraid to take it in for fear of what the dealer is going to charge me to go through the entire system.

[iamkhanz]

anyone know if its possible to get the 08 Navi software to work on the 06? I love the voice activated part of the 08.. and 06 does have the voice activated feature but only for bluetooth.. but it has the abilitiy anyway to get it to do navi in voice activated format too? I have the button controls takes too long!